Re: Inverter Installed - We Have Juice!

Hey folks
If it applies?  
I don't have my inverter wired to my distribution panel because the
inverter is small and located where I can just plug the goodies of
interest (toaster or coffee maker or tv/sat/dvd) right in. 
I do have a generator though that does feed the main distribution panel.
I used TANDEM breakers in my 3 slot panel, A double 15 amp in the
second slot, one 1/2 is used for plugs and the other 1/2 is wired to
supply a/c to the 12vdc converter, a double 30amp in the first slot
that "back-feeds" the buss. (That means I connect the shore cable
`black' (hot) to one of the switch poles and the generator `black'
(hot) to the other.
I can select either source to feed the buss, BUT NEVER BOTH. 
I mounted a swing-able lever positioned such that it must be in the
"block the other breaker" position before I can switch the breaker of
interest on (a logical 'OR'). There are stops on the sides of the
swing-able lever to keep it in the right area. 
It is most important that if you use this two source back- feed method
that you fashion a fool proof lever Gizmo so that the feed breakers
must both be OFF And one held OFF before the ONE of interest can be
turned ON!!!? Confused??
May be I should have not mentioned this set up??

It really is quit safe, simple and cheep ...Just kind of hard for me
to explain.
Use at your on risk?
I chose this method as I don't like relays and I couldn't find a cheep
enough generator shore switch of sufficient amperage..
See ya 




--- In toyota-campers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "listermann42" <dan@xxxx> wrote:
>
> This is how I understand things.  The inverter is powered at 12 V DC 
> from the house batteries.  It makes 110V AC which powers the 
> converter which is normally used to convert shore power 110V AC to 
> 12V DC.  It also powers a charger in the converter for the house 
> batteries at 12V DC.  This is a waste of energy.  If I can interrupt 
> the flow of current to the house battteries when the inverter is on, 
> I will not waste this energy.  Another source of energy waste is 
> converting the 110V AC back to 12 DC for powering the house.  A 
> relay that prevents this could also be worked out.
> 
> Dan
> 
> --- In toyota-campers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Jerry Shipman" 
> <jship299@xxxx> wrote:
> >
> > My memory may not be the best but I think you are not supposed to
> > run the converter unless a house battery is attached.  Wouldn't
> > your relay be same as no house battery attached?  Could one
> > interrupt the 120V source going to the inverter with a switch?
> > 
> > Just my thoughts as I have been hashing this over myself.
> > 
> > Jerry in TX panhandle
> > 90 Sunrader 18'
> > 
> > > I am still studying on the way to disconnect the charger in the
> > > converter.  Let us know if you come up with the way.
> > 
> > I was just going to find the wire from the converter to the house
> > battery and interrupt it with a 30 amp 12V relay from Radio
> > Shack.
> > then, hopefully just wire it to the inverter's remote on/off
> > switch.  It depends on the voltage in the circuit.  It might
> > require
> > a second relay.
> > 
> > Dan
> >
>






 
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